Let me spill, mom life is literally insane. But what's really wild? Attempting to hustle for money while dealing with toddlers and their chaos.
I entered the side gig world about several years ago when I figured out that my Target runs were becoming problematic. I had to find some independent income.
Being a VA
Right so, my first gig was becoming a virtual assistant. And honestly? It was chef's kiss. I could work during naptime, and all I needed was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
Initially I was doing basic stuff like email sorting, managing social content, and entering data. Not rocket science. I started at about fifteen dollars an hour, which wasn't much but for someone with zero experience, you gotta start somewhere.
What cracked me up? I would be on a client call looking completely put together from the waist up—looking corporate—while rocking pants I'd owned since 2015. Living my best life.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
After getting my feet wet, I decided to try the handmade marketplace scene. Everyone and their mother seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I figured "why not me?"
I created making PDF planners and digital art prints. Here's why printables are amazing? One and done creation, and it can make money while you sleep. Actually, I've earned money at ungodly hours.
My first sale? I freaked out completely. He came running thinking the house was on fire. But no—I was just, celebrating my first five bucks. I'm not embarrassed.
Content Creator Life
Then I got into writing and making content. This hustle is playing the long game, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
I started a parenting blog where I shared real mom life—the good, the bad, and the ugly. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Simply honest stories about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Getting readers was a test of patience. Initially, I was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I kept at it, and after a while, things gained momentum.
These days? I generate revenue through affiliate marketing, brand partnerships, and ad revenue. This past month I made over two thousand dollars from my blog alone. Insane, right?
The Social Media Management Game
After I learned my own content, brands started inquiring if I could do the same for them.
Truth bomb? Tons of businesses don't understand social media. They know they need to be there, but they don't know how.
I swoop in. I currently run social media for a handful of clients—different types of businesses. I make posts, plan their posting schedule, respond to comments, and check their stats.
I bill between $500-$1500/month per business, depending on what they need. Best part? I handle this from my phone during soccer practice.
Writing for Money
For the wordy folks, writing gigs is seriously profitable. I'm not talking literary fiction—I'm talking about blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Companies need content constantly. I've created content about everything from literally everything under the sun. You just need to research, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
I typically earn between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on how complex it is. Some months I'll produce 10-15 articles and earn one to two thousand extra.
Plot twist: I was that student who thought writing was torture. Currently I'm making money from copyright. Life is weird.
The Online Tutoring Thing
After lockdown started, tutoring went digital. I was a teacher before kids, so this was perfect for me.
I registered on a couple of online tutoring sites. You make your own schedule, which is absolutely necessary when you have tiny humans who throw curveballs daily.
I focus on K-5 subjects. Rates vary from $15-25 per hour depending on where you work.
What's hilarious? Occasionally my own kids will burst into the room mid-session. I've literally had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. The parents on the other end are incredibly understanding because they're living the same life.
Reselling and Flipping
Alright, this particular venture wasn't planned. While organizing my kids' things and listed some clothes on Facebook Marketplace.
They sold within hours. I had an epiphany: people will buy anything.
Currently I visit thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, searching for things that will sell. I'll find something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
Is it a lot of work? Yes. It's a whole process. But it's oddly satisfying about spotting valuable items at a yard sale and turning a profit.
Bonus: my children are fascinated when I score cool vintage stuff. Recently I scored a retro toy that my son absolutely loved. Sold it for $45. Mom for the win.
The Honest Reality
Let me keep it real: this stuff requires effort. They're called hustles for a reason.
Some days when I'm completely drained, wondering why I'm doing this. I'm grinding at dawn hustling before the chaos starts, then handling mom duties, then back to work after bedtime.
But this is what's real? This income is mine. No permission needed to splurge on something nice. I'm contributing to the family budget. My kids are learning that moms can do anything.
Tips if You're Starting Out
For those contemplating a hustle of your own, here's my advice:
Start small. Don't try to start five businesses. Pick one thing and nail it down before adding more.
Honor your limits. Whatever time you have, that's totally valid. Two hours of focused work is valuable.
Don't compare yourself to the highlight reels. The successful ones you see? She's been grinding forever and has support. Focus on your own journey.
Invest in yourself, but strategically. Start with free stuff first. Be careful about spending massive amounts on training until you've tested the waters.
Batch tasks together. This changed everything. Block off time blocks for different things. Use Monday for creation day. Wednesday could be administrative work.
The Mom Guilt is Real
Real talk—mom guilt is a thing. There are days when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I feel guilty.
Yet I think about that I'm modeling for them work ethic. I'm proving to them that moms can have businesses.
Also? Earning independently has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more content, which makes me more patient.
The Numbers
The real numbers? Typically, between all my hustles, I earn three to five thousand monthly. It varies, it fluctuates.
Is it life-changing money? No. But this money covers family trips and unexpected expenses that would've been really hard. It's creating opportunities and experience that could grow into more.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, being a mom with a side hustle is challenging. There's no such thing as a magic formula. Most days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and doing my best.
But I wouldn't change it. Every single penny made is validation of my effort. It's evidence that I'm more than just mom.
If you're on the fence about starting a side hustle? Take the leap. Start before it's perfect. Your tomorrow self will thank you.
Keep in mind: You're not just getting by—you're creating something amazing. Despite the fact that there's probably mysterious crumbs on your keyboard.
No cap. This is where it's at, chaos and all.
My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom
Real talk—becoming a single mom was never the plan. I also didn't plan on building a creator business. But fast forward to now, three years into this wild journey, paying bills by being vulnerable on the internet while handling everything by myself. And I'll be real? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Fell Apart
It was 2022 when my life exploded. I will never forget sitting in my half-empty apartment (he got the furniture, I got the memories), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were finally quiet. I had $847 in my checking account, little people counting on me, and a income that didn't cut it. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to escape reality—because that's how we cope? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I came across this woman discussing how she became debt-free through being a creator. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or both. Usually both.
I downloaded the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, talking about how I'd just spent my last $12 on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' school lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Who gives a damn about my mess?
Turns out, way more people than I expected.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me nearly cry over chicken nuggets. The comments section was this safe space—other single moms, people living the same reality, all saying "this is my life." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted real.
Discovering My Voice: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's what they don't say about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? It happened organically. I became the single mom who keeps it brutally honest.
I started posting about the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I lived in one outfit because washing clothes was too much. Or when I served cereal as a meal all week and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my child asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what resonated.
In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, fifty thousand. By month six, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone felt impossible. People who wanted to hear what I had to say. Plain old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to learn everything from scratch not long ago.
My Daily Reality: Managing It All
Let me show you of my typical day, because this life is totally different from those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about budgeting. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while sharing parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation ends. Now I'm in survival mode—feeding humans, finding the missing shoe (why is it always one shoe), throwing food in bags, mediating arguments. The chaos is real.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom creating content in traffic at stop signs. I know, I know, but bills don't care.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my hustle time. Peace and quiet. I'm in editing mode, responding to comments, ideating, reaching out to brands, reviewing performance. Everyone assumes content creation is simple. Nope. It's a entire operation.
I usually batch-create content on Monday and Wednesday. That means shooting multiple videos in a few hours. I'll change clothes so it seems like separate days. Hot tip: Keep different outfits accessible for easy transitions. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, recording myself alone in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Transition back to mom mode. But this is where it's complicated—sometimes my biggest hits come from this time. Recently, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I couldn't afford a expensive toy. I created a video in the parking lot once we left about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm generally wiped out to create anything, but I'll schedule uploads, check DMs, or plan tomorrow's content. Certain nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll edit videos until midnight because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just chaos with a plan with moments of success.
The Money Talk: How I Actually Make a Living
Okay, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you really earn income as a content creator? For sure. Is it simple? Hell no.
My first month, I made zilch. Month two? $0. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to post about a food subscription. I actually cried. That $150 bought groceries for two weeks.
Now, three years later, here's how I earn income:
Collaborations: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that my followers need—affordable stuff, helpful services, kid essentials. I bill anywhere from $500-5K per collaboration, depending on deliverables. Last month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made eight thousand dollars.
Platform Payments: TikTok's creator fund pays very little—a few hundred dollars per month for huge view counts. YouTube revenue is more lucrative. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that required years.
Affiliate Marketing: I share affiliate links to products I actually use—ranging from my favorite coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If anyone buys, I get a cut. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Downloadables: I created a financial planner and a cooking guide. $15 apiece, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Consulting Services: People wanting to start pay me to show them how. I offer consulting calls for two hundred per hour. I do about several per month.
My total income: Most months, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month these days. It varies, some are tougher. It's unpredictable, which is terrifying when you're solo. But it's triple what I made at my 9-5, and I'm home when my kids need me.
What They Don't Show Nobody Shows You
From the outside it's great until you're sobbing alone because a video flopped, or dealing with hate comments from internet trolls.
The negativity is intense. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm using my children, called a liar about being a single mom. Someone once commented, "No wonder he left." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm is unpredictable. Certain periods you're getting viral hits. The following week, you're struggling for views. Your income fluctuates. You're constantly creating, 24/7, worried that if you take a break, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is worse times a thousand. Everything I share, I wonder: Am I oversharing? Is this okay? Will they resent this when they're older? I have firm rules—minimal identifying info, no sharing their private stuff, nothing humiliating. But the line is fuzzy.
The burnout hits hard. There are weeks when I don't want to film anything. When I'm touched out, socially drained, and completely finished. But bills don't care about burnout. So I create anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But listen—despite everything, this journey has given me things I never anticipated.
Financial freedom for the first time ever. I'm not a millionaire, but I eliminated my debt. I have an emergency fund. We took a family trip last summer—Disney, which seemed impossible a couple years back. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my kid was ill last month, I didn't have to call in to work or stress about losing pay. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a field trip, I'm there. I'm available in ways I wasn't able to be with a traditional 9-5.
Community that saved me. The other creators I've befriended, especially other moms, have become real friends. We connect, share strategies, encourage each other. My followers have become this family. They celebrate my wins, support me, and show me I'm not alone.
Identity beyond "mom". Finally, I have something for me. I'm not defined by divorce or somebody's mother. I'm a content creator. An influencer. Someone who built something from nothing.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a solo parent considering content creation, here's my advice:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. It's fine. You learn by doing, not by procrastinating.
Keep it real. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your honest life—the unfiltered truth. That's the magic.
Protect your kids. Set boundaries early. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is everything. I keep names private, limit face shots, and protect their stories.
Multiple revenue sources. Don't put all eggs in one basket or a single source. The algorithm is unstable. More streams = less stress.
Create in batches. When you have free time, record several. Tomorrow you will thank present you when you're drained.
Engage with your audience. Respond to comments. Respond to DMs. Be real with them. Your community is crucial.
Track your time and ROI. Some content isn't worth it. If something takes four hours and gets nothing while a different post takes minutes and goes viral, pivot.
Prioritize yourself. You need to fill your cup. Step away. Set boundaries. Your wellbeing matters more than views.
Be patient. This requires patience. It took me months to make any real money. My first year, I made fifteen thousand. Year 2, eighty thousand. Now, I'm making six figures. It's a long game.
Don't forget your why. On difficult days—and trust me, there will be—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's supporting my kids, time with my children, and demonstrating that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
The Honest Truth
Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Content creation as a single mom is difficult. Really hard. You're basically running a business while being the sole caretaker of kids who need everything.
Many days I question everything. Days when the hate comments hurt. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and asking myself if I should go back to corporate with benefits and a steady paycheck.
But then my daughter shares she appreciates this. Or I look at my savings. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I remember my purpose.
What's Next
Not long ago, I was scared and struggling what to do. Fast forward, I'm a full-time content creator making more than I imagined in corporate America, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500,000 followers by end of year. Create a podcast for single parents. Maybe write a book. Expand this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
This journey gave me a path forward when I needed it most. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be there, and accomplish something incredible. It's a surprise, but it's perfect.
To every single mom out there considering this: You absolutely can. It will be hard. You'll consider quitting. But you're already doing the most difficult thing—doing this alone. You're more capable than this resource you know.
Start imperfect. Keep showing up. Protect your peace. And remember, you're more than just surviving—you're building something incredible.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go film a TikTok about another last-minute project and I just learned about it. Because that's the content creator single mom life—making content from chaos, one post at a time.
Honestly. This life? It's everything. Despite there's definitely Goldfish crackers everywhere. Living the dream, mess included.